The United States, which faces North Korea in the most highly-anticipated match of the 2003 Women's World Cup on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, admittedly don't know much about a side that has beaten perennial power China twice in the past year.

A victory over the US in the sold-out match could boost North Korea into the quarterfinals, depending on Sweden's encounter with Nigeria.

"I have never seen North Korea play, so I have no idea what to expect," said US forward Cindy Parlow, who has scored a goal in each of the US's first two matches.

Apparently, many of North Korea's leaders would prefer it that way.

What transpired after the Koreans' 1-0 loss to Sweden on Thursday did not go very far to break down any walls or solve any problems between the US and North Korea.

Team officials were evasive at times, adding a little more to the mystery and aura surrounding the team.

A FIFA official introduced coach Ri Song Gun at the podium for the post-match press conference. Although reporters were sceptical.

It turned out to be "team leader" Pak Chang Nam who answered questions.

Where was the coach?

"Our head coach is currently talking to our players after a very hard match, but FIFA urges us to come quickly so the team leader decided to come instead," Pak said.

"Our head coach has a lot of work to do preparing for our early departure (Friday) morning."

When reporters went to the mixed zone, an area where players supposed to make themselves available for interviews, Kim was nowhere to be found. He already had left. So had the rest of the team.

When Pak was asked about his opinions of the US and what the players did in their spare time, he replied he was there to answer questions only about the game.

Pak criticized the practice conditions his team had to endure. The North Koreans have had to practised at five different facilities.

The North Koreans had to move its training from the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University due to conflicts with those schools practice schedules. They also trained at Drexel, the Hungarian-German Soccer Club and on an artificial field.

"Frankly speaking the facilities and conditions for the team to train were not very good," he said.

"We had difficulties training. For example, we had to travel very far and the training conditions were not up to international standards.

"The fields, for example, were uneven and had a lot of holes in them. Our first impression is that the LOC (local organising committee) did not provide adequate facilities for training."

Added team liaison Chung Tae Ha: "There has been confusion and a lot of riding the bus. This is a world-class soccer event, and the players wonder why is this?"

Chung stressed that the players did not believe the problems were intentional and were enjoying many aspects of their visit.

"I have heard nothing political. Our hotel has treated us very well, providing Korean food," said Chung.

"They are doing their very best, but the players don't have ESPN2 (which televises Women's World Cup games) in their rooms."

Pak also criticized Australian referee Tammy Ogston.

"Teams can sometimes win and sometimes lose," he said.

"But as far as the match is concerned, I have to mention the refereeing is very important.

"If the referee cannot conduct according to the FIFA rules, it can greatly affect the players' performance.

"During the match it is natural that players come into contact, but sometimes the referee did not referee strictly according to the regulations so that spectators did not understand what was right and what was wrong."

There were no complaints about the game officials in North Korea's first match, a 3-0 victory over beleaguered Nigeria.